I've mentioned this before. I've also mentioned that I know Leroy Stacey, the victim. What I didn't mention--mostly because of not knowing this--was that Leroy didn't have life insurance. Understandable, as not too many 18-year-olds do. What this means, though, is that the funeral and burial are going to cost $5400.

Yes, you read that correctly. Fifty-four hundred dollars.

In case you haven't noticed, that's a lot of money. I didn't know his family well, but I can tell you that they're not wealthy. What I can tell you with reasonable confidence is that they probably don't have that much money lying around for events like this.

This is where good will and good friends come in.

Leroy has worked at Carlock's Food King in Ringgold for around two years. As of this afternoon (Monday the 16th), there is a can at the front of the store with Leroy's senior picture and some money in it. Every cent of that money will go to his family. By the time my mum left a few hours later nearly five hundred dollars were in that jar. All from having a jar in the front of the store and talking to people.

If that jar can contain $500 dollars in one afternoon from customers alone, imagine what it can do when people spread the word. When people spread the word to those who otherwise might have no idea.

That's right. You too can help.

If you're local to the Ringgold area, you can just drop by Carlock's Food King and give whatever you want at the Leroy jar--bills, checks, spare change. It's all fair game. For those who don't know where the store is, don't look it up on Google Maps because you'll be severely misled. However, it's near Old Mill Road and Three Notch Road. Ask me if you need more specific directions, though I should warn you in advance that I'm terrible at them.

For those not local to Ringgold, don't feel left out! You can still help out. (Note: All of the below still applies to local-to-Ringgold people who just don't want to make a trip to the store.) You can still donate by mail, although I advise against spare change for obvious reasons--if you're okay with sending dollar bills in the mail, go for it. You can send your donation to the following address:

Carlock's Food King3240 Boynton DriveRinggold, GA 30736

Any checks should be made out to Mac and Sharon Wiser, Leroy's uncle and aunt. Any amount helps--from pocket change to the 'big amounts'.

He was someone with a future. He had graduated from Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School less than a month ago and had his entire life ahead of him.

Remember, when you help others, you can't help helping yourself. So donate if you feel so moved.

(Any questions? Reply to this post or email me: residentmuse375 yahoo com. I think you know where to put the @ and .. Also, feel free to pass this on with proper attribution.)

Comments

I also fail at sending letters (and replying to comments, apparently), so I feel your pain. I actually don't have a Paypal account, which is surprising given the amount of stuff I buy online.

Three hours later: Paypal. No one at the store doesn't have Paypal, and neither do I. I can set one up, though, though it'll most likely be my personal account and not one designed for this purpose, and I can see the sudden appearence of money and give that. Coolness?